Cord tension pulley assembly

ABSTRACT

A cord tension pulley for double traverse rod installations having a dual pulley mounting head and a common cord-tensioning apparatus for the dual head. The dual head has a cover plate which normally retains the cords on the pulleys and which is mounted for movement to an open position to allow the dual traverse cords to be individually inserted and removed from the ends of the pulleys.

United States Patent Inventor Ferdinand F. Salzmann Madison, Wis.

Appl. No. 867,295

Filed Oct. 17, 1969 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Consolidated Foods Corporation Chicago, 111.

CORD TENSION PULLEY ASSEMBLY 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 160/126, 160/344 lnt.C1 ..A47h11/06, A47h 5/032 Field of Search 160/344,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 998,536 7/191 1 Kwiatkowski 160/345 2,830,808 4/1958 Graber 160/344 X 3,123,351 3/1964 Graber 261/71 3,309,065 3/1967 PrudHomme et a1 254/189 X Primary Examiner-David .l. Williamowsky I Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan Attorney-Mc Canna, Morsbach, Pillote & Muir ABSTRACT: A cord tension pulley for double traverse rod installations having a dual pulley mounting head and a common cord-tensioning apparatus for the dual head. The duai head has a cover plate which normally retains the cords on the pulleys and which is mounted for movement to an open position to allow the dual traverse cords to be individually inserted and removed from the ends of the pulleys.

CORD TENSION PULLEY ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE Cord tension devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,808 have heretofore been provided for use with socalled "endless" traverse cords in a traverse rod installation. Some such cord tension devices use a single pulley and some use two pulleys spaced from each other so as to increase the separation of the runs of the traverse cord loop. However, the cord-tensioning devices heretofore made are adapted for use only with a single cord loop associated with a single traverse rod and, in double traverse rod installations, it was necessary to use two separate cord-tensioning devices, one for each traverse rod.

An important object of this invention is to provide a cordtensioning device arranged to tension the two traverse cords associated with a double traverse rod installation as well as a single traverse cord associated with a single traverse rod installation. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a cord-tensioning device for tensioning the dual traverse cords of a double traverse rod installation and which is arranged to facilitate insertion and removal of the traverse cord loops from around the pulleys.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cord-tensioning device for use with single and dual traverse rod instal lations which is of simple and economical construction.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention will be better understood from thefollowing description .when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the cord tension device applied to a double traverse rod installation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cord-tensioning device with the cover plate moved to an open position to facilitate insertion and removal of the traverse cords from the pulley;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cord-tensioning device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the head portion of the cord-tensioning device illustrating the same used for a single traverse cord loop.

Double traverse rods are used in some installations where it is desired to utilize two pairs of draperies for a window treatment. Such an installation is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes inner and outer traverse rods 10a and 10b which are usually mounted by common brackets 11 and 12 on the supporting surface such as a window frame, wall or the like. As is conventional, the traverse rods each include one or more master slides 13a, 13b which are connected to traverse cords 14a, 14b in a so-called endless cord loop. The traverse cords are entrained over pulleys 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b at opposite ends of the traverse rods 10a and 10b respectively, and operating loop portions of the traverse cords extend downwardly from one end of the rods to enable manual drawing of the draperies. Auxiliary slides 17a and 17b are provided in the rods to support the draperies intermediate the master slides and the ends of the rods. The present invention relates to a dual cord tension assembly and to a double traverse rod installation embodying such a dual cord tension assembly.

The dual cord tension assembly includes a dual pulley mounting head 21 having first and second pulleys 22 and 23 arranged to receive the depending loop portions of the traverse cords 14a and 14b, and a tension applying mechanism 24 for applying and maintaining substantially equal tension in the two traverse cord loops. In the embodiment shown, the tension applying mechanism 24 includes a base mounting bracket 25 having a base plate 25a adapted for attachment as by screws or the like to a supporting surface such as the floor, windowsill or wall adjacent the side of the traverse cord assembly, and spaced ears 25b which extend laterally of the base plate. A housing 26, conveniently of tubular form, has its lower end swingably mounted as by a pivot pin 27 on the spaced ears 25b to allow the housing to extend generally upright after the base bracket has been mounted. A standard 28 is slidably mounted in the .housing and a tensioning mechanism, herein shown in the form ofa compression spring 29, is interposed between a stop 26a on the housing and a stop 29a on the lower end of the standard, to yieldably urge the standard downwardly relative to the housing in a direction to tension the loops 14a and 14b in the traverse cord. As more fully disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,830,808, the upper end of the housing 26 may be formed with a noncircular opening 26!; which slidably but nonrotatably receives the standard 28 to normally inhibit turning of the standard relative to the housing. The standard may be formed with a reduced cross-sectional area indicated at 29b which, when positioned adjacent the noncircular opening 26b, permits the standard to be turned relative to the housing to a different angular position.

The dual pulley mounting head 21 includes a dual pulley mounting plate 31 overlying only one end of the pulleys 22 and 23, which mounting plate has a portion 310 extending to a level below the pulleys and preferably offset laterally inwardly from the plane of the mounting plate to a point approximately medially between the ends of the pulleys. The portion 310 of the mounting plate is swingably mounted as by a pivot pin such as a rivet 32 on the upper end of the standard to allow limited swinging movement of the head 21 relative to the standard about the axis of the rivet. As will be seen, the pivot pin is located approximately medially between the pulleys 22 and 23, but at a level substantially below the underside of the pulleys so that the head can tilt relative to the standard, for a purpose described hereinafter.

First and second pulley mounting members 35 and 36 are provided for mounting the pulleys 22 and 23 on the mounting plate 31. The pulleys are supported only by the mounting plate 31 and the pulley-mounting members 35 and 36 are rigidly attached to the mounting plate in a manner to support the pulleys on the mounting plate from only one end of the pulleys. In the embodiment illustrated, the pulley-mounting members 35 and 36 include hub portions 350, 36a and rivet type fasteners which extend through hubs. The hubs 35a, 36a have one end in abutting engagement with the inner face of the mounting plate 31, and the rivets extend through openings 31a in the mounting plate and are rigidly secured to the mounting plate as by heads 35b, 36b. The rollers 22 and 23 are rotatably mounted on the hub portions 35a, 36a respectively, conveniently by antifriction elements 22a, 23a. While the hub portions are herein shown formed separate from the rivets 35, 36, it will be appreciated that the same could be formed integral therewith to provide a shoulder or stop to engage the inner side of the mounting plate.

A cover plate is provided and adapted to span and overlie the ends of the pulleys 22 and 23 remote from the mounting plate 31 to retain the traverse cord loops on the pulleys. The cover plate, however, is mounted for movement into and out of its cover position spanning the pulleys 22 and 23 so as to enable the traverse cord loops 14a and 14b to be inserted and removed over the ends of the pulleys. In the preferred embodiment shown, the cover plate 41 is swingably mounted on one of the pulley mounting members 35. As best shown in FIG. 4, the cover plate has an opening 41a adapted to receive the end of the pulley-mounting member 35 and the cover plate is retained on the member 35 by the head 35c. The cover plate is swingable about the axis of the mounting member 35 between its covering position as shown in FIG. 1 and open position as shown in FIG. 2. The cover member, when in its closed position, overlies the end of the pulley 23 and has a socket, herein shown in the form of an opening 41b located to register with the head 360 on the pulley mounting member 36 and releasably retain the cover plate in its closed position. The cover plate 41 also has a portion 41c that extends downwardly to a level substantially below the underside of the cord guide pulleys, to aid in retaining a single traverse cord such as shown at Me in FIG. 6, when the latter is entrained over both pulleys 22 and 23. A fastener 45 is provided for securing the cover plate in its cover position. The fastener 45 is herein shown in the form of a screw which extends through an opening 41d in the cover plate and is threaded intoan opening 31d in the mounting plate 31. The fastener is advantageously located as shown in FIG. 6 at a point approximately medially between the pulleys 22 and 23 and at a level above the underside of the pulleys so as to not interfere with either the dual traverse cords 14a and 14b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or the single traverse cord arrangements shown at 140 in FIG. 6.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and operation of the dual traverse cord tension apparatus will be readily understood. The dual pulley mounting head 21 is open in the area above the pulley and the traverse cords 14a and 14b of a dual traverse rod assembly can be inserted and removed over the ends of the pulleys 22 and 23 by merely removing the fastener 45 to allow movement of the cover plate 41 to its open position shown in FIG. 2. After the traverse cord loops have been inserted, the cover plate is returned to its closed position overlying the ends of both pulleys to retain the traverse cords on the pulleys. The dual pulley mounting head is free to pivot or swing relative to the standard 28, about the pivot pin 32, so that the head can tilt as required to substantially equalize the tension in the dual traverse cord 14a and 14b. The dual traverse cord tension apparatus, however, can also be used as single traverse cord tension apparatus. In this case, the single traverse cord is merely entrained over both pulleys 22 and 23. The cover plate 41 extends to a level below the underside of the pulley so as to retain the traverse cord loops on the pulleys.

What I claim is:

1. In a double traverse rod assembly including first and second traverse rods respectively having first and second draw v cord loops at one end of the rod assembly, a dual cord tension pulley assembly for the double traverse rod assembly comprising a dual pulley-mounting head, first and second cord guide pulleys mounted on said dual mounting head for rotation relative thereto about spaced parallel axes, said head being open in areas above said first and second pulleys to allow said first and second cord loops to pass around said first and second pulleys respectively and then up to the respective first and second traverse rods, a base mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a support, an elongate cord-tensioning means having its lower end connected to said base mounting bracket and means at its upper end pivotally connected to said mounting head at a location substantially medially between said first and second pulleys and at a level below the underside thereof to allow tilting of said head to substantially equalize the tension in the first and second cord loops.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said head includes a pulley support plate overlying one end of said first and second pulleys and extending therebetween, said cord-tensioning means being connected to said pulley support plate, and a pulley cover plate separate from said mounting plate and dimensioned to overlie the other ends of said first and second pulleys, and means mounting said cover plate for movement relative to said mounting plate from a position overlying the ends of said first and second pulleys to a position uncovering the end of one pulley to allow the first and second cord loops to be inserted and removed over said other ends of said first and second pulleys.

of said second pulley, and means for releasably holding said cover plate in covering position over the end of sald second pulley.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for releasably holding said cover plate in covering position includes a releasable fastener extending between the cover plate and mounting plate at a location between the pulleys and above the underside of the pulleys.

5. A dual cord tension pulley assembly for double and single traverse rod installations comprising, first and second cord guide pulleys, a dual pulley mounting head including a mounting plate overlying only one end of said first and second pulleys and a cover plate adapted to overlie only the other ends of said first and second pulleys, first and second pulley-mounting members rotatably mounting said first and second pulleys on said mounting plate for rotation relative thereto about spaced parallel axes, said dual pulley mounting head being open in areas above said pulleys to allow separate cord loops to pass down and around the first pulley and second pulley, a base mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a support, an elongate cord-tensioning means having its lower end connected to said base mounting bracket and means at its upper end swingably connected to said mounting plate at a location substantially medially between said first and second pulleys and at a level below the underside thereof, and means mounting said cover plate on said mounting plate for movement rela- I tive thereto from a position overlying said other ends of both said first and second pulleys to a position uncovering the end of at least one of said cord guide pulleys to allow cord loops to be inserted and removed from said other ends of first and second cord guide pulleys.

6. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 5 wherein means attaching said cover plate to said mounting plate includes a fastener extending between said cover plate and said mounting plate at a location between said first and second pulleys at a level above the underside of the first and second pulleys.

7. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 5 wherein said cover plate is swingably mounted on said first pulleymounting member at the other end of the latter for swinging movement into and out of a position overlying the other end of said second pulley, and means for releasably securing said cover member in position overlying said second pulley.

8. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means includes a threaded fastener extending between said cover plate and said mounting plate at a location between said first and second pulleys and at a level above the underside of said pulleys.

9. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 8 wherein said cover plate has a socket for adapting to register with said second pulley-mounting member, said second pulley mounting member extending into said socket when the cover plate is in cover position over the second pulley. 

1. In a double traverse rod assembly including first and second traverse rods respectively having first and second draw cord loops at one end of the rod assembly, a dual cord tension pulley assembly for the double traverse rod assembly comprising a dual pulley-mounting head, first and second cord guide pulleys mounted on said dual mounting head for rotation relative thereto about spaced parallel axes, said head being open in areas above said fiRst and second pulleys to allow said first and second cord loops to pass around said first and second pulleys respectively and then up to the respective first and second traverse rods, a base mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a support, an elongate cord-tensioning means having its lower end connected to said base mounting bracket and means at its upper end pivotally connected to said mounting head at a location substantially medially between said first and second pulleys and at a level below the underside thereof to allow tilting of said head to substantially equalize the tension in the first and second cord loops.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said head includes a pulley support plate overlying one end of said first and second pulleys and extending therebetween, said cord-tensioning means being connected to said pulley support plate, and a pulley cover plate separate from said mounting plate and dimensioned to overlie the other ends of said first and second pulleys, and means mounting said cover plate for movement relative to said mounting plate from a position overlying the ends of said first and second pulleys to a position uncovering the end of one pulley to allow the first and second cord loops to be inserted and removed over said other ends of said first and second pulleys.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said means mounting said cover plate comprises a fastener extending through the cover plate, said first pulley and the mounting plate and mounting said first pulley and said cover plate on the mounting plate, said cover plate being swingable about the axis of said fastener into and out of overlying relation to the other end of said second pulley, and means for releasably holding said cover plate in covering position over the end of said second pulley.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for releasably holding said cover plate in covering position includes a releasable fastener extending between the cover plate and mounting plate at a location between the pulleys and above the underside of the pulleys.
 5. A dual cord tension pulley assembly for double and single traverse rod installations comprising, first and second cord guide pulleys, a dual pulley mounting head including a mounting plate overlying only one end of said first and second pulleys and a cover plate adapted to overlie only the other ends of said first and second pulleys, first and second pulley-mounting members rotatably mounting said first and second pulleys on said mounting plate for rotation relative thereto about spaced parallel axes, said dual pulley mounting head being open in areas above said pulleys to allow separate cord loops to pass down and around the first pulley and second pulley, a base mounting bracket adapted for attachment to a support, an elongate cord-tensioning means having its lower end connected to said base mounting bracket and means at its upper end swingably connected to said mounting plate at a location substantially medially between said first and second pulleys and at a level below the underside thereof, and means mounting said cover plate on said mounting plate for movement relative thereto from a position overlying said other ends of both said first and second pulleys to a position uncovering the end of at least one of said cord guide pulleys to allow cord loops to be inserted and removed from said other ends of first and second cord guide pulleys.
 6. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 5 wherein means attaching said cover plate to said mounting plate includes a fastener extending between said cover plate and said mounting plate at a location between said first and second pulleys at a level above the underside of the first and second pulleys.
 7. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 5 wherein said cover plate is swingably mounted on said first pulley-mounting member at the other end of the latter for swinging movement into and out of a position overlying the other end of said second pulley, and means for releasablY securing said cover member in position overlying said second pulley.
 8. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means includes a threaded fastener extending between said cover plate and said mounting plate at a location between said first and second pulleys and at a level above the underside of said pulleys.
 9. A tension pulley assembly according to claim 8 wherein said cover plate has a socket for adapting to register with said second pulley-mounting member, said second pulley mounting member extending into said socket when the cover plate is in cover position over the second pulley. 